Friday, May 25, 2012

 
A Tribute to the Civil War Veterans of Timbuctoo
Westampton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey


When:  Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 27, 2012, 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM 

Where: Adjacent to the Timbuctoo Cemetery, Church Street off Rancocas Road, Westampton Township. 

Why:    Timbuctoo was established as a community by and for free African American residents in the 1820s.  Several members of the community served in the 22nd Regiment US Colored Troops during the Civil War.  This community represents the hopes and aspirations of freedom loving people, many of whom had been enslaved.  For many years their history was ignored and forgotten but now, through the efforts of Westampton Township and the Timbuctoo Discovery Project, their story is being reclaimed.  This is an important story for all Americans to appreciate and the organizers hope that people of all races and religions will attend. 

Program

Mayor Sidney Camp: Introductions

American Legion Post 509 Color Guard

Dr. David G. Orr and Christopher Barton, Temple U. Archeology Project: presentations and tours

Historian Paul Schopp: The 1860 Battle of Pine Swamp near Timbuctoo

Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church Choir of Burlington, NJ (founded at Timbuctoo in 1845)

6th Regiment, U.S. Colored Troops Re-enactors, Inc.

Directions: Park at the Holly Hills Elementary School located 1/2 mile from the cemetery on Lambert Drive (north off of Rancocas Road 1/4 mile west of the Route 541 Bypass).  A shuttle bus will transport people to the ceremony site.  Please arrive between 1:30 and 1:45. Handicapped parking will be available at the cemetery. Seating will be limited.  Please feel free to bring your own folding chairs.

Sponsored by the Township of Westampton and the National Park Service 
For additional information please contact Westampton Township at 609-267-1891, extension 6.

usct-flagveagle-usct-22nd-infantry-back-of-flag.jpg

Friday, May 4, 2012


Volunteer to join Temple University archaeologists, former residents and descendants of Timbuctoo, a 19th century African American community in Westampton, Burlington County, NJ. No experience is necessary and all ages can assist in this nationally recognized collaborative archaeology project.

Start Date: May 18th
Days: Fridays and Saturdays
Hours: 9am to 3pm
Location: End of Church Street, Westampton, NJ
If interested in volunteering contact:
Chris Barton at tua94766(at)temple.edu
Follow our group on Facebook: Timbuctoo Discovery Project 
here is a Washington Post article covering our work
Collaborative Archaeology at Timbuctoo
Howdy, this blog will feature daily summaries, up-incoming events and volunteer opportunities at Timbuctoo, Westampton, NJ.

Timbuctoo was an African American community in Burlington County, NJ. The settlement was founded by free blacks and former enslaved people circa 1825. The community operated as a terminus along the underground railroad. Today, former residents and descendants are working in collaboration with archaeologists in better understanding the historical, ethnographic and archaeological dimensions of Timbuctoo. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/02/AR2010080205217.html